Chapter 55

It's time for sekkyooooo.

This is the second update.

Time has passed so quickly that it's already November.

The fortress I entrusted to Ismael has been completed, and the soldiers have been trained to a level where they can be put to good use.

The restoration of the devastated farmland has also been completed, and one-third of the villages have started practicing crop rotation.

The remaining two-thirds are taking a bit more persuasion, but they will understand once the results are seen.

The production system for paper and the development facilities for rock salt have also been established, and mass production has begun.

Thanks to the Kirisia merchants, including Mr. Eyns, who are buying paper and rock salt in large quantities, the coffers of the As domain are warm.

It doesn't seem like repaying the debt will be a struggle.

...Still, I do have some lingering attachment to two-thirds of the rock salt.

Now, the problem is... the deadline is only three days away.

"What do you think we should do?"

"Are you asking me that?"

Balthro looked puzzled.

"You should consult your subordinates."

"They would definitely be in favor if there's a chance I could become king... so it wouldn't be helpful."

I already know what they would say.

Besides, they wouldn't understand my concern about you and the others getting hurt.

There's also a bit of a concern about consulting them.

That's why I'm here with Balthro.

According to King Rosais, he is one of the few retainers who knows the situation.

He seems to have a lot of life experience, so I thought I should at least ask him.

"I know your situation from King Rosais. I'm on the Rosais and As sides, so of course I'm in favor... but in the end, it's best to decide based on your own will."

That's the problem...

"Didn't you say you were worried about a war breaking out? Well, it's true that a war is likely to break out... but it's not certain. If you handle it well, a war might not happen."

That's true.

There hasn't been a divine proclamation that a war will definitely break out.

It's just a possibility.

If I can persuade or neutralize Rigar Divel, it might be possible.

But that would be very difficult.

The As faction currently makes up one-third of all the noble families, which means two-thirds are against us.

And even the one-third that's supposed to be on my side is quite questionable.

If I were in their shoes, I would be hesitant.

Moreover, King Domorgal's country has not hidden its ambition to advance south.

That country will surely take advantage of the chaos and invade.

"I can't... I can't decide."

I held my head in my hands.

"Just make sure you don't regret it."

Balthro stood up as if to say he had nothing more to say.

---

Deep in the forest, in the heart of the Romano Forest, known as the Forbidden Forest.

The territory of the griffins.

I was in the griffin's nest, which they call a castle.

"I see... so you want to mate with Yuria, the female with the purple-red fur. But Yuria is the daughter of the pack leader, and if you mate with her, the leader's position will fall to you. Some won't like a newcomer becoming the leader, and there's a possibility of a fight. That's why you're conflicted, right?"

"Mostly, but... can you put it a bit more delicately? Mating... at least say marriage. And the way you say it makes it sound like I'm in love with a female monkey or dog..."

Female, fur, pack, leader...

There must be a better way to say it.

Woman, hair color, country, king...

"This is because of the poor translation of the 'Blessing of the Divine Word.' To begin with, there's no need to differentiate between other animals and humans, as they are all made of the same stuff and have souls. To me, dogs, monkeys, and humans are all the same."

That might be true from the perspective of a creature that is half eagle and half lion and treated as a god...

"Do you want to mate with Yuria, the female?"

"Well, the word 'mate' is a bit off-putting... but yes."

When I answered that, the griffin snorted.

"Then you should do it. What's the problem?"

"Because a war will break out. Maybe even Ron and the others will die."

When I said that, the griffin's eyes widened.

He seemed irritated.

"Whether Ron and the others will cooperate with you is their decision, not yours. I don't understand why you're concerned about internal conflicts between packs. It's just a matter of winning. Or are you worried about losing?"

"No... I think we can win in the end..."

The population of the As domain is 30,000. The direct territory of King Rosais is 70,000. Combined, that's 100,000.

The population of the other noble families' territories is about 70,000.

We can probably win in the end.

But many people will die.

"Didn't you say that someone who can kill their own kind without feeling anything is abnormal?"

"Yes, I did. Humans are social creatures. It's a problem if a member of the group can kill their own kind without feeling guilty. It makes it hard to maintain the group's laws. Abnormal people can't survive in a group, which is fatal for humans. But you are different."

"What's different about me?"

The griffin said,

"You are a ruler, the one who enforces the law. You are not a member of the group but the one who moves the group. You are an entity outside the group's rules. Therefore, whether you are abnormal or not doesn't matter. In fact, you should be abnormal. Otherwise, you can't protect the group from external threats. Since you have become a ruler, you should leave the best results for the group. For that, you must not be concerned with any sacrifices. Do you understand?"

"..."

The griffin added,

"Human deaths? What's the problem? They are just strangers to you. Besides, you have been killing for your survival and to protect your children. What's the difference now?"

"Killing for survival and killing for my desires are not the same..."

"They are the same in terms of killing."

The griffin laughed.

Then he looked at me straight in the eye.

"Listen. If there were something you shouldn't do, you wouldn't be able to do it in the first place. But the gods have given us the option to kill our own kind for our desires. If they did, it means it's acceptable. Lions kill the previous leader's cubs after taking over the pack. Fish forget that the young are their own and eat them. Has heaven ever punished such behavior? No, it hasn't. So it's acceptable."

The griffin spoke matter-of-factly.

"We have been given the right and freedom to do anything. It's your freedom to resist the injustice in front of you or to accept it. This world is for you. You should do as you please. Whether you play modestly or extravagantly, or even destroy things with your own hands, it's all a choice."

The griffin looked at me as if to advise me.

"Don't be afraid. Have the resolve. No one has the right to judge you. In this world, there are only winners and losers. Just keep winning. Do what you want. I did what I wanted. In ancient times, I would push herds of cattle into the sea for fun, blow up mountains, and eat humans. What's wrong with that? Listen, there is no duty with power, only rights. You should follow your ego. If you want a woman, take her. If you want territory, take it. If you want money, take it. If you want peace, take it. The one who is wrong is the one who can't protect what is theirs and chooses a powerful protector."

The griffin's lecture to me didn't end there.

"Human life is shorter than mine. There's no second chance. You should avoid regret. The regret of involving unrelated people is fleeting, but the regret of losing a female will last until you die."

"That's..."

Indeed, that's something I don't want.

The thought of Yuria being taken by Rigar Divel... just thinking about it makes me want to vomit.

"Imagine putting the leader's position and mating with a female on one side of the scale. What should you put on the other side? Not the lives of unrelated people, but the regret of involving them and the regret of losing the female to another male. Which side will tip? I think the answer is already clear to you."

"..."

I closed my eyes and thought.

I pictured Yuria.

Her smile, her body, the good memories. I don't want to let any of them go.

Then I opened my eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Griffin. I've made my decision. I'm going."

"Go then. Don't regret it."

I started running.

It takes a day to get out of the griffin's territory.

If I get out of the forest and ride a horse to King Rosais's palace, it will be a close call.

I have to hurry.

---

"It's a close call. Have you made your decision?"

It was midnight, yet King Rosais responded immediately.

He must be eager to hear my decision.

On King Rosais's right was Yuria, and on his left was Mr. Raymond.

"First, I apologize for wasting such valuable time for five months to make this decision. I'm grateful for your patience. I know this is a bold request, but..."

I bowed deeply to King Rosais.

"Please give me Princess Yuria."

Then I turned to Yuria.

Yuria's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in surprise.

"Will you be mine? Is that okay?"

"Yes!!"

Yuria hugged me.

I fell backward.

She's heavier than I thought...

"Almus!!!"

Yuria tried to press her cherry-colored lips to mine.

I stopped her with my hand.

"Hey, can you wait a bit...?"

King Rosais and Mr. Raymond were staring at us.

Yuria finally seemed to realize and quickly let go.

Her face was red.

"Should we not continue?"

"I was watching."

The two of them grinned.

These two are definitely siblings. They have bad personalities.

I got up and sat back down.

Seeing my serious face, King Rosais also became serious.

"Two questions. What if I had refused?"

"I would have kidnapped Yuria. Then I would have teamed up with King Domorgal to destroy this country."

When I said this with a straight face, King Rosais's face twitched.

Yuria blushed.

"Even as a joke, I'm glad you didn't say no. Second question, can you tell me why you suddenly changed your mind?"

"Reason? Well, I wanted Yuria from the beginning. I was willing to become king for her. I also thought the position of king wasn't bad. With the power of a king, I could help many people and repay Ron and the others. But... I lacked the resolve."

I made various excuses.

People would die, friends would be hurt.

But that wasn't it. I was just scared. Scared of the immense power.

After becoming a noble, the way people looked at me changed. I now have the power to kill my subjects with a single finger, just like Rigar Divel.

Becoming king would give me even more power. I was afraid it would change me.

I was just scared.

In short, I was a hesitant, cowardly person. Honestly, Rigar might have been better.

The 'Blessing of the Great King' also scared me.

I felt like it was changing something inside me.

But I can't keep running away.

If I do, I'll definitely regret it. I have to face the power and the 'Blessing of the Great King' and come to terms with it.

As a first step, I will take Yuria.

I will use the power just for myself.

To get one woman, Yuria, I will kill everyone connected to the Divel family.

This is a line in the sand.

I won't be swayed by power or fear anymore.

If I don't act, Tera and everyone else will be taken by that bastard.

So I'll act before I'm acted upon.

I'll show that I can handle the power.

"Hmm, you think too much. So, who pushed you to take this step?"

"It's not a person."

"Griffin, huh. Well, that's fine. If you become king, that's good for me. By the way, do you have any plans as king?"

Plans.

I don't hate luxury, but I'm not a big fan either. I have Tera and Yuria, and that's enough for me.

If I have to say something...

"How about unifying the Adelnia Peninsula?"

Taking it by force for peace. That's what you said, Mr. Griffin.

"Alright, the issue is the timing of the announcement, the wedding, and the coronation. Do you have any preferences?"

"It would be more convenient to finish everything at once. Let's do it within two days."

Usually, weddings are held a few months after the announcement because the nobles need to prepare gifts.

Tera and I got married right after the war ended because of the inheritance issue.

"Two days won't give Rigar Divel time to raise an army. After the coronation, you can immediately gather the army and destroy all the nobles who didn't attend the coronation. Is that your plan?"

"Pretty much. If we need to adjust, we can gather the army first and then make the announcement."

It's going to be a bloody wedding.

"Should we do it right away? I want to abdicate while I'm still alive. I can't die in peace otherwise. It would be better for you too, right?"

"I also prefer while you're still alive. But regarding the timing..."

"It's tough because you don't have any achievements. Is that what you're saying?"

I nodded.

Since becoming a lord, I haven't achieved anything visible.

It would be difficult to ascend to the throne at this stage. It would be better after a significant achievement.

"Also, I want to quell the internal conflict quickly and unify the country. For that, I need to clean out the Divel faction all at once. It would be better to do some groundwork first."

There's no need to fight after ascending to the throne. It's better to settle it from the start.

"I see. I was also a bit worried about your achievements. ...Actually, I have a good opportunity. Do you want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"King Domorgal's country will invade this country soon. I'll give you full command of the army. Defeat them."

What's good about that... Well, it might be the best way to achieve something... but isn't it a bit difficult?

"The estimated enemy force is around 15,000. We can field 4,000 to 5,000."

"I remember King Verm couldn't field that many... Is it really okay?"

At that time, diplomacy was a mess.

There's a good chance of diplomatic interference this time too, and I can't rely on the Divel faction's power.

Especially if I become the supreme commander.

"It's fine. If our country is invaded by King Domorgal, the next targets will be King Evil's and King Berberdil's countries. We have a non-aggression pact with both. Our direct territory alone can field 5,000. You have 800 standing troops, right? Gather another 1,200 through conscription."

1,200... I can do it, but it's a close call.

There's no rule that conscription and voluntary recruitment can't coexist, and I haven't said that.

If I say we'll provide food and weapons, there shouldn't be much resistance.

"That makes 7,000. We can expect about 500 from the nobles. So, 7,500. It's tough, but... there's no other choice. Do you have confidence?"

"...It depends on the strategy. By the way, how many cavalry do you have? I have 100."

"I've tried to organize them, but it's not easy to train a large number. It's easier and cheaper to train 300